School districts across West Virginia are reporting spikes in applications for free or reduced-cost lunches as the economy worsens.

Gary Hendricks, director of nutrition for Kanawha County schools, says more than 51 percent of children are already getting lunches through the program. In the previous school year, that mark wasn't reached until April.

In Wood County, the number of families applying for the program has increased by six percent, the sharpest growth in a decade.

Officials from the Northern to the Eastern panhandles report similar increases.

Nancy Karavolos, director of nutrition for Hancock County schools, says the bad economy means more children are in need.

Statewide, 52.7 percent of children enrolled in school received free or low-cost lunches in 2007.